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Remarkable Women

There are lots of interesting and accomplished girls and women. Some are well-known, others you may never have encountered. But their stories — in fact or in fiction — make good reading during Women’s History Month and all year long!

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

By: Jan Greenberg, Sandra Jordan

Illustrated by: Brian Floca

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

The combined talent of three geniuses — Martha Graham's choreography, Isamu Noguchi's art, and Aaron Copland's music — brought the ballet "Appalachian Spring" to life in October 1944. Graceful illustrations combine with poetic, highly detailed narrative for a riveting account of this achievement. Notes and sources are included.

Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map

By: Sue Macy

Illustrated by: Heather Collins

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Women and girls haven't always played basketball. In fact, it was a struggle to play while acting "lady-like" in the late 1800s. Readers will enjoy learning about Agnes Motley and the competition that launched women into basketball through vivid prose and lively illustration.

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

By: Erica Silverman

Illustrated by: Betsy Lewin

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Kate is a cowgirl who cares for her herd on her horse, Cocoa. In four short, easy to read stories Kate’s resourceful personality shines in snappy dialog between cowgirl and horse. Cartoon illustrations enhance the humor and the warmth of their friendship as they go about their work.

Eleanor, Quiet No More

By: Doreen Rappaport

Illustrated by: Gary Kelley

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Roosevelt's own words define her growth from a shy child to reluctant but forceful political voice to respected citizen of the world. Evocative illustrations express Roosevelt’s strength and unique beauty.

Emily and Carlo

By: Marty Rhodes Figley

Illustrated by: Catherine Stock

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Emily's dog, Carlos, accompanied her almost everywhere, "decorating her clothes with dog hair" even when she wrote. Rich narrative sprinkled with quotes from Emily Dickinson's poetry and letters combines with expressive watercolors for a unique portrait of the poet. Additional information and sources complete this handsome book.

Here Come the Girl Scouts

By: Shana Corey

Illustrated by: Hadley Hooper

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Juliette "Daisy" Gordon was born into a family of pioneers, she loved the outdoors, and yearned to make a difference in the world. Combining her passion for service with her own adventurous spirit and her belief that girls could do anything, she founded the Girl Scouts. March 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts and they're still going strong, with more than 3 million Girl Scouts throughout the world!

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters

By: Andrea Davis Pinkney

Illustrated by: Stephen Alcorn

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Brief sketches of the lives of both well (e.g. Harriet Tubman) and lesser known African American women (e.g., Biddy Mason) and their impact on civil rights are presented in the lively language of a storyteller sure to read aloud well. Vibrant, stylized Illustrations enhance the evocative text to complete the thought-provoking portraits.

Rachel Carson and Her Book that Changed the World

By: Laurie Lawlor

Illustrated by: Laura Beingessner

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Rachel Carson was a shy child, always drawn to nature. She grew up to become a professional biologist and enter a field with few women and write a book that changed the way people looked at the environment. Soft, cartoon-like illustrations and straightforward narrative present an overview of Carson's life; sources are included at the end.

Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride

By: Andrea Davis Pinkney

Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Lively language and energetic illustrations create a memorable portrait of a woman who was to become known as Sojourner Truth. She was "Big. Black. Beautiful. True." Just like her name. Further information and photographs of Sojourner Truth completes this dynamic, fictionalized biography.

Susan B. Anthony

By: Alexandra Wallner

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Susan B. Anthony lived and worked as a teacher when women were paid less for the same jobs performed by men and could not vote in any election. Her work and perseverance helped change the entire country and is presented in accessible language and simple illustrations that evoke the period. Resource notes are included.

Swamp Angel

By: Anne Isaacs

Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

On the day of her birth, nothing about Angelica Longrider suggested that she would one day become the greatest woodswoman of Tennessee. It's not long before Angelica is vanquishing varmints such as Thundering Tarnation, a huge bear with a taste for settlers' winter rations, and swallowing entire lakes in a gulp.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

By: Grace Lin

Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales

Age Level: 9-12

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Minli embarks on a journey to change the luck of her family and their village. Traditional stories inspired by Chinese folklore combine with a rousing adventure for an altogether satisfying tale. Richly-hued illustrations decorate and enhance the handsome novel.